Must See Wildflowers, Kojonup WA: Where and When to Find Them

See wildflowers as they are meant to be seen: in the wild. Every spring the country around Kojonup puts on one of Western Australia's great free shows, from orchids hiding in the reserves to whole roadsides in colour, and you do not need a tour bus or a long hike to find it.

For anyone visiting the national parks of the Great Southern region, this part of WA is a true haven, bursting with brilliant colours, amazing aromas and flora found nowhere else in the world. Kojonup sits just under three hours from Perth and about two hours from Bunbury, which makes the township an ideal starting point for exploring the region's plant life. To see it at its most exquisite you will need to be prepared for a short road trip, and we all love a good road trip.

When is wildflower season?

Spring is the season: September to November, when the reserves, roadsides and farmland around Kojonup come into full colour. The Great Southern celebrates its natural heritage every year with the Bloom Festival, held through September and October. If you are driving down from Perth, our Perth to Albany drive guide covers the trip leg by leg, and spring is the best time of year to make it.

The wildflower spots at a glance

Five spots, all reachable from a base in Kojonup. The closest is a few minutes from our front door; the furthest is a proper day trip for the dedicated.

Start at the Kojonup Visitor Centre

The Kojonup Visitor Centre is an excellent resource and the right first stop for planning your wildflower odyssey. The Centre can help with maps and, best of all, the staff can give you the benefit of their local knowledge to find the hidden gems of the area, known only to the locals. Wildflowers move week to week through the season, so ten minutes here can save you an afternoon of searching. You will find the Visitor Centre inside Kodja Place at 143 Albany Highway, Kojonup.

Farrar Dam Reserve: the closest spot to town

The dam is a great spot to check out the region's wildflowers, and it is the easiest trip on this list. Turn off the Albany Highway onto the Boyup Brook/Kojonup Road after you leave the Visitor Centre, travel for 8 kilometres and you will arrive in just a few minutes.

The reserve is the home of the Red Lechenaultia, Kojonup's floral emblem, and a blue variety of the same species grows here too, along with many varieties of orchid. Expect an explosion of colour: orange Gastrolobium peas tempered by the beautiful white flowers of the Stackhousia.

Myrtle Benn Flora and Fauna Sanctuary: orchid country

The sanctuary is a well-established nature reserve on Tunney Road, north of the Frankland River/Cranbrook Road near Kojonup, and it is the place to go orchid hunting. Look carefully and you will find the White Spider, Mantis, Pink Enamel and Red-Tongued Spider orchids. Other species you may encounter are Myrtle, Dampiera and Cat's Paws.

Myrtle Benn has some wonderful walking trails, a carpark to leave your vehicle and maps to guide you through the reserve. For the wildflower enthusiast who wants to observe species in the wild rather than behind a fence, this is as good as it gets near Kojonup.

Boot Rock Reserve, Broomehill: about 30 minutes away

If you would like something a little further afield without committing to a full day, Boot Rock Reserve sits on the outskirts of Broomehill, a short 30 minute drive from Kojonup. It takes its name from one of the unique rock formations in the area and is a real haven for wildflower bush walks, with over 130 species of native vegetation recorded.

While you are in Broomehill, take the time to visit the Broomehill Golf Club and stroll the fairways: you will be pleasantly surprised by how many wildflower species turn up in such an unexpected location. Before the drive back to Kojonup, we suggest stopping in at the Henry Jones Winery and Cafe at 36 India Street in the Broomehill Village, one of the social hubs of the town, housed in a magnificently restored historic building.

Cranbrook and the Stirling Range: about 40 minutes away

For a lazy afternoon drive in the country, head out to the Shire of Cranbrook, about 40 minutes from Kojonup and crowned by natural beauty. Cranbrook is the gateway to the Stirling Range National Park, which hosts many diverse walking trails and a vast array of native wildflowers. The species to look out for in this region are the Scarlet Banksia, the Southern Cross Flower and the most royal of flowers, the Queen of Sheba Orchid.

On the outskirts of the Cranbrook township, down Salt River Road, is the Cranbrook Wildflower Walk. The walk has some truly breathtaking orchid species along its 1.7km path, and the picnic and parking areas are well signposted and easy to locate. Bring a picnic to enjoy afterwards; it is that kind of place.

Lake Magenta Nature Reserve: the big day out

If you are up for a bit of a drive, head for Lake Magenta Nature Reserve, about 3 hours from Kojonup along the Katanning-Nyabing Road in the Shire of Kent, part of WA's southern wheatbelt. The reserve covers 1,080 square kilometres, is managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife, and is home to 300 plant species with upwards of 40 species of wildflowers, including Baxter's Banksia, Dancing Spider Orchids, Flame Grevillea and everyone's favourite, the Bottlebrush.

Lake Magenta also supports a large and varied bird population and many mammal species, including Western Australia's only colony of the Heath mouse, once thought to be extinct in this state. It is a little out of the way, but well worth it for the discerning nature lover. Birdwatchers should pack the binoculars; our birdwatching guide covers the closer spots too.

Flowers without leaving town

Not every bloom needs a drive. The Rose Maze at Kodja Place, right on Albany Highway, features 2,000 Australian-bred rose bushes along a 500-metre walking path. Roses rather than wildflowers, granted, but they flower over the same September to November window, so a morning at the maze pairs naturally with an afternoon at Farrar Dam. Our attractions page covers everything else to see while you are in town.

Why base your wildflower trip in Kojonup?

• It is only 250km from Perth, just under three hours on the Albany Highway
• Over 130 species of native vegetation at Boot Rock Reserve alone
• Over 40 confirmed species of wildflowers at Lake Magenta
• Part of the Great Southern wine region, with 18 wineries within comfortable driving distance
• The region is dotted with peaceful walking trails and amazing views of Western Australia's regional heartland

Where to stay for wildflower season

Cornwall House Accommodation sits at 72 Albany Highway in the heart of Kojonup, minutes from the Visitor Centre where your wildflower trail starts. Our 12 air-conditioned rooms (queen, twin and family configurations) each have an ensuite, free WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities, microwave and refrigerator, with free onsite parking and a shared camp kitchen for guests. Contactless check-in from 2pm means a long afternoon among the orchids never leaves you locked out.

If you are timing your trip for the September to November season, book your room ahead and travel easy. See our accommodation page for room details and what is included.

Check availability and book Call us (08) 9831 0214

Frequently asked questions